Fiji snatch first title win in Sydney

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s finished on top at the HSBC Sydney 7s after beating South Africa in a grueling final last night.

Fiji and the Blitz Boks both bounced back from a ninth place playoff last weekend in Hamilton to qualifying to the Cup final in Sydney, in which Fiji claimed the win in both occasions.

It was a spectacular performance from the two teams as they set out an electrifying finale, as Fiji led 5-12 at half-time only for South Africa to storm back in the second half 10-12.

Fijis Captain Meli Derenalagi ran over the try line in the first few minutes but couldn’t dot the ball down as JC Pretorius and Selvyn Davids managed to held him up over the line.

Napolioni Bolaca was named player of the final as he scored all of Fiji’s points and converted his own try.

Fijis Josua Vakurunabuli was sent to the bench for a late tackle giving SA the advantage while Pretorius score their first try.

Bolaca found a gap with a strong fend to the defender and sprinting his way for his second try of the final.

However, South Africa hit back when Zain Davids scored another try for SA a few minutes into the second half with an unsuccessful conversion giving Fiji the victory over the Blitz Boks 10-12.

Captain Meli Derenaladi said the team executed well and they deliver what they’ve been planning along.

 “First of all I would like to thank the almighty Lord for giving us the strength and the power to come and deliver what we have been planning.

“Before we entered the field the message I told my team was just to go out there, enjoy it and do the job. We delivered that and I want to thank the soldiers behind me for that great effort you saw here today.

The win in Sydney is Fijis ever first title of the 2020 HSBC Sevens Series, the team will head back to the Country and prepare towards the Las Vegas 7s which is from 29 February to 1 March.